Gravity filter designs configured for increased residence time

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of water filters comprise a filter housing configured to be disposed in a pour tray of a water filter pitcher, wherein a filter media cartridge is disposed inside the filter housing. The filter housing includes a housing floor, housing sidewalls extending upwardly, away from the housing floor, and at least one filter housing outlet disposed in one or more of the housing floor or the housing sidewalls. The filter media cartridge includes filter media, where the filter media cartridge comprises a cartridge floor spaced above the housing floor, cartridge sidewalls extending upwardly, away from the cartridge floor, and at least one filter media cartridge outlet disposed along one or more of the cartridge floor or the cartridge sidewalls. The water filter pitcher further includes a riser extending upwardly, away from the housing floor, and spaced between the housing sidewalls and the cartridge sidewalls, where the riser extends a distance above the cartridge floor. The riser forms a conduit volume.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit to the U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/576,392 filed Dec. 16, 2011.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is generally directed to water filters and, inparticular, to water filters for water filter pitchers having watercapture features.

BACKGROUND

Water filter pitchers including cartridge-style water filters are usedby consumers who wish to remove visible and invisible impurities fromtap water for drinking. Water filter pitchers allow a consumer to selectto improve the flavor of tap water at an economical price as comparedwith purchasing packaged bottled water. Additionally, water filterpitchers incorporating cartridge water filters may decrease a consumer'swaste of water and energy by providing the consumer with a ready supplyof clean water.

In order to appeal to consumers, changes to the water filter pitchersthat may improve the aesthetics of the water filter pitchers have beencontemplated. One such change includes raising the filter mediacartridge from the bottom of the water filter pitchers, such that thefilter media cartridge becomes hidden from view. However, the filtermedia cartridges may have enhanced performance when the filter elementis held in a moist condition. Accordingly, improvements that increasethe aesthetic appeal of the water filter pitcher while improving theperformance of the filter media cartridge are required.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a water filter is configured to be insertedinto a filter housing disposed in a pour tray of a water filter pitcher,where the filter housing includes a housing floor, housing sidewallsextending upwardly from the housing floor, at least one filter housingoutlet disposed in the housing floor, the housing sidewalls, or both,and a riser extending upwardly from the housing floor. The water filterincludes a filter media cartridge configured to be accommodated insidethe filter housing and comprising filter media, where, whenaccommodated, the filter media cartridge comprises a cartridge floorspaced above the housing floor, cartridge sidewalls extending upwardly,away from the cartridge floor, and at least one filter media cartridgeoutlet disposed along one or more of the cartridge floor or thecartridge sidewalls. When the filter media cartridge is accommodatedinside the filter housing, the riser is spaced between the housingsidewalls and the cartridge sidewalls and extends vertically above thecartridge floor, thereby forming a conduit volume.

According to another embodiment, a water filter pitcher includes apitcher body that includes a pitcher floor and pitcher sidewallsextending from the pitcher floor, and a pour tray coupled to the pitcherbody. The pour tray includes a pour tray floor, pour tray sidewallsextending upwards from the pour tray floor, a filter housing extendingbelow the pour tray floor. The filter housing includes a housing floor,housing sidewalls extending between the housing floor and the pour trayfloor, and at least one filter housing outlet disposed along one of moreof the housing floor or the housing sidewalls. A filter media cartridgeis disposed inside the filter housing and includes filter media, wherethe filter media cartridge further includes a cartridge floor spacedabove the housing floor, cartridge sidewalls extending upwardly, awayfrom the cartridge floor, and at least one filter media cartridge outletdisposed along one or more of the cartridge floor or the cartridgesidewalls. A riser extends upwardly from the housing floor and is spacedbetween the housing sidewalls and the cartridge sidewalls. The riserextends vertically above the cartridge floor, forming a conduit volume.

According to yet another embodiment, a method of maintaining wetness ofa filter media cartridge includes providing a water filter pitcher thatincludes a filter housing that includes a housing floor, housingsidewalls vertically extending from the housing floor, and at least onefilter housing outlet disposed in the housing floor adjacent to one ormore of the housing sidewalls. The water filter pitcher also includes afilter media cartridge disposed inside the filter housing and includingfilter media, where the filter media cartridge includes a cartridgefloor spaced above the housing floor, cartridge sidewalls extendingupwardly, away from the cartridge floor, and at least one filter mediacartridge outlet disposed in one or more of the cartridge floor or thecartridge sidewalls. The water filter pitcher further includes a riserextending upwardly from the housing floor and spaced between the housingsidewalls and the cartridge sidewalls. The riser extends a verticaldistance above the cartridge floor, and the interior of the riser formsa conduit volume. The water filter pitcher includes a water outletflowpath defined from the filter media cartridge outlet to the filterhousing outlet, such that the water exiting the filter media cartridgemust exit via the at least one filter media cartridge outlet into theconduit and then pass over the riser before exiting the filter housingvia the at least one filter housing outlet. The method of maintainingwetness of the filter media cartridge also includes introducing water tothe water filter pitcher, passing water into the filter media cartridge,filtering water with the filter media, and allowing water to exit thefilter media cartridge through at least one filter media cartridgeoutlet. The method further includes pooling water in the conduit volumeto wet at least a portion of the filter media cartridge; and displacingwater over the riser and through the at least one filter housing outlet.

These and additional objects and advantages provided by the embodimentsof the present invention will be more fully understood in view of thefollowing detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of specific embodiments of thepresent invention can be best understood when read in conjunction withthe drawings enclosed herewith.

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a water filter pitcher according toone or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of a water filter pitcher according toone or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of a water filter pitcher according toone or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a sectional side view of a water filter pitcher according toone or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a sectional side view of a water filter pitcher according toone or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of a water filter pitcher according toone or more embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of a water filter pitcher according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative in nature andnot intended to be limiting of the invention defined by the claims.Moreover, individual features of the drawings and invention will be morefully apparent and understood in view of the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to water filters forwater filter pitchers that are held above the region of filtered waterstorage of the water filter pitcher. To maintain moisture within thefilter media within the water filter, the water filter pitchers includefeatures that retain water that has been introduced into the filtermedia cartridge, and “pools” the water as to maintain wetness inside thefilter media cartridge, thereby increasing the residence time that thewater remains in contact with the filter media. Maintaining wetness of afilter media cartridge may prevent the filter media cartridge fromdrying, which may promote filtering efficiency and longevity of thefilter media.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, embodiments of the water filter pitchers 90include a pitcher body 91 and a pour tray 100. The pour tray 100 isinserted into the pitcher body 91 along the upper portion of the pitcherbody 91. A water filter 105 that includes a filter media cartridge 110is inserted into the pour tray 100. A water-tight seal is formed betweenthe filter media cartridge 110 and the pour tray 100. Water, forexample, tap water, may be introduced into the pour tray 100, where thewater collects. The water is driven by gravity through the filter mediacartridge 110 where the water filtered as it passes through filtermedia, and is collected in the lower portion of the pitcher body 91. Thewater filter pitcher 90 may further include a diffusion tray 200 that iscoupled to an underside of the pour tray 100. The diffusion tray 200 maybe in fluid communication with the filter media cartridge 110, such thatwater that exits the filter media cartridge 110 flows across thediffusion tray 200 before being collected in the pitcher body 91. Asdepicted in FIG. 1, the pour tray 100 and the diffusion tray 200 mayextend less than about 50% of the height of the pitcher body 91. Thewater filter pitcher 90 may include a lid 94 that is inserted onto thepour tray 100 and a cover 96 that is inserted onto the lid 94. The lid94 and the cover 96, together, may prevent foreign objects from enteringthe water filter pitcher 90.

Referring to FIG. 3, one embodiment of a pour tray 100 for a waterfilter pitcher 90 is depicted. The pour tray 100 includes a filterhousing 101 that is formed into the pour tray 100, below the pour trayfloor 109. The filter housing 101 includes a housing floor 102 andhousing sidewalls 104 that extend from the housing floor 102. As shownin FIG. 3, the housing sidewalls 104 extend approximately vertically,creating a generally circular shape. The filter housing 101, through thehousing floor 102 and the housing sidewalls 104, forms a recessed volumein the pour tray 100 into which the filter media cartridge 110 may beinserted. At least one filter housing outlet 106 passes through one ofthe housing floor 102 in a location adjacent to the housing sidewalls104, or the housing sidewalls 104 in a location adjacent to the housingfloor 102. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the filter housingoutlet 106 includes openings that pass through the housing floor 102.

The water filter 105 includes the filter media cartridge 110 and thefilter media 112. The filter media cartridge 110 includes a cartridgefloor 114 and cartridge sidewalls 116 that extend upward from thecartridge floor 114. A filter media cartridge outlet 115 is locatedalong one or more of the cartridge floor 114 or the cartridge sidewalls116. Filter media 112 is retained in the interior region of the filtermedia cartridge 110 formed by the cartridge floor 114 and the cartridgesidewalls 116. The filter media 112 may include loose media 118, forexample granulated activated carbon, that is held within the filtermedia cartridge 110 by permeable membranes 119. The permeable membranes119 may be made from nonwoven filter media that contributes to filteringwater that passes through the filter media cartridge 110. The filtermedia cartridge 110 further includes a filter cartridge outlet 117located along the cartridge floor 114 that allows water to exit thefilter media cartridge 110.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the pour tray 100 further includesa riser 120 that extends upwardly, away from the housing floor 102, andis spaced between the housing sidewalls 104 and the cartridge sidewalls116, when the filter media cartridge 110 is installed in the filterhousing 101. In this embodiment, the housing sidewalls 104, thecartridge sidewalls 116, and the riser 120 each have a generallycylindrical shape, where the housing sidewalls 104, the cartridgesidewalls 116, and the riser 120 are generally concentric with oneanother. The riser 120 defines an interior volume that extends from thehousing floor 102 to the top of the riser 120 to create a conduit volume122. The conduit volume 122 may refer to the receptacle created by thesurfaces of the riser 120 and the housing floor 102, and may also referto an empty volume enclosed by these surfaces.

The filter media cartridge 110 and the filter housing 101 further definea cavity 108 located between the housing sidewalls 104 and the cartridgesidewalls 116. The filter cartridge outlet 117, the conduit volume 122,the cavity 108, and the filter housing outlet 106 are in fluidcommunication with one another.

The filter media cartridge 110 is secured to the pour tray 100 forming awater-tight seal between the filter media cartridge 110 and the pourtray 100. One embodiment of the interface between a lip 126 of thefilter media cartridge 110 and the pour tray 100 shown in FIG. 3 isshown in greater detail in FIG. 4A. The lip 126 is a portion of thefilter media cartridge 110 that extends radially beyond the cartridgesidewalls 116. In this embodiment, the lip 126 and the pour tray 100include a threaded interface 150, as is also depicted in FIG. 1. Thethreaded interface 150 allows the filter media cartridge 110 to besecured against an O-ring 180, which forms a water-tight seal betweenthe filter media cartridge 110 and the pour tray 100.

Another embodiments of the interface between the lip 126 and the pourtray 100 is depicted in FIG. 4B. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 4B (andalso depicted in FIG. 2) includes a bayonet-style fitting, where the lip126 includes tabs 154 that are inserted into a channel along the pourtray 100. A bayonet-style fitting as depicted in FIG. 4B may allow forthe filter media cartridge 110 to be secured within the pour tray 100 byrotating the filter media cartridge 110 relative to the pour tray 100,for example, by rotating the filter media cartridge 110 relative to thepour tray 100 less than a full revolution. The O-ring 180 may provide aslight force to maintain engagement of the tabs 154 with the channels.The tabs 154 may have a variety of cross-sectional shapes including, butnot limited to, rectangular or circular.

The diffusion tray 200 is mechanically coupled to the underside of thepour tray 100 such that the diffusion tray 200 is in fluid communicationwith the filter housing outlet 106. The diffusion tray 200 includes aplurality of weep holes 204 arranged along the diffusion tray floor 202.Water that exits the filter housing outlet 106 flows to the diffusiontray 200 and redistributes along the diffusion tray floor 202, until thewater flows through the weep holes 204. The diffusion tray floor 202 ofthe diffusion tray 200 may be contoured to direct the flow of the wateras the water comes into contact with the diffusion tray floor 202 of thediffusion tray 200. For example, the weep holes 204 may be positioned ata constant vertical distance from the filter housing outlet 106 in anenvelope defined by the housing sidewalls 104, and may be positioned ata vertical distance from the filter housing outlet 106 where thevertical distance increases as the radial distance from the envelopedefined by the housing sidewalls 104 increases. The diffusion tray floor202 of the diffusion tray 200 may further include an undulating surfacethat forms a series of depressions 206 along the diffusion tray floor202. The weep holes 204 may be positioned near the lowest portion of thedepressions 206, such that the weep holes 204 are positioned in thedepressions 206 at approximately the furthest vertical distance from thefilter housing outlet 106.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the water filter 105 includes filter media112 that may remove impurities, for example, protozoa, viruses, lead,organic and inorganic compounds, and/or turbidity, from water. Removalof impurities may be targeted to satisfy the requirements of waterpurification standards including, but not limited to, NSF/ANSI Standard42 and/or NSF/ANSI Standard 53. Removal of impurities is desirable, asthese impurities may affect the taste, odor, and/or the appearance ofthe water. In one embodiment, the filter media 112 includes granulatedactivated carbon. Impurities in the water physically bond with thegranulated activated carbon through adsorption, and are removed from thewater prior to the water exiting the filter media cartridge 110.Granulated activated carbon may be more likely to bond with impuritiesin the water (i.e., have higher rates of adsorption) when the granulatedactivated carbon itself is maintained in a wet environment.

As illustrated in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pourtray 100, and therefore the filter media cartridge 110, is held in aposition a vertical distance above the lower portion of the pitcher body91, where water that has passed through the filter media cartridge 110collects. In this embodiment, the vertical distance from the of thediffusion tray floor 202 of the diffusion tray 200, and therefore thevertical distance from the filter housing outlet 106, to the pitcherfloor 92 of the pitcher body 91 is less than about 50% of the verticaldistance that the pitcher sidewalls 93 extend from the pitcher floor 92of the pitcher body 91. This may be important because a user of thewater filter pitcher 90 may perceive that the water filter pitcher 90 is“full” when the level of water in the pitcher body 91 reaches the levelof the diffusion tray floor 202 of the diffusion tray 200. Therefore,none of the filter media cartridge 110, and therefore the filter media112, may be submerged in water that has passed through the filter mediacartridge 110 and collected in the lower portion of the pitcher body 91.

To maintain wetness of the filter media 112, the pour tray 100 depictedin FIG. 3 includes features that collect water that has been introducedto the pour tray 100 and at least partially passed through the filtermedia cartridge 110. These features allow the water filter pitcher 90 tomaintain wetness of the filter media cartridge 110 and the filter media112. Water that is introduced to the pour tray 100, for example, from atap, follows a water outlet flowpath 140 through the water filterpitcher 90. Water first collects in the pour tray 100 in the volumedefined by the pour tray sidewalls 107, and flows along the pour trayfloor 109 towards the filter housing 101 and the filter media cartridge110 inserted therein. The water enters the filter media cartridge 110and is filtered by the filter media 112. The water exits the filtermedia cartridge 110 through the filter cartridge outlet 117. Waterflowing out of the filter media cartridge 110 is collected in theconduit volume 122 formed in the filter housing 101 by the riser 120.The water is collected within the conduit volume 122 until the volume ofwater exceeds the volume of the conduit volume 122, at which point thelevel of the water will exceed the height of the riser 120. Water thatexceeds the height of the riser 120 will flow over the riser 120 intothe cavity 108. From here, water will flow through the filter housingoutlet 106 and into the lower portion of the pitcher body 91.

The riser 120 maintains water in the conduit volume 122, such that thewater is pooled inside the conduit volume 122 at a height relative tothe cartridge floor 114 that corresponds to the vertical height of theriser 120 relative to the cartridge floor 114. As depicted in FIG. 3,the top of the riser 120 is positioned above the bottom of the cartridgefloor 114. The configuration depicted in FIG. 3 represents approximatelythe minimum height of the riser 120. When water is pooled in the conduitvolume 122, the water will come into contact with the filter media 112,such that the water will maintain wetness of at least a portion of thefilter media 112. The maximum height of the riser 120 corresponds with ariser 120 that extends beyond the cartridge floor 114 but does notcontact the filter media cartridge 110. In any of the envisionedconfigurations, the height of the riser 120 corresponds to a volume ofwater held within the conduit volume 122, where the water will remain incontact with the filter media 112.

By pooling the water in the conduit volume 122, the residence time ofthe water in contact with the filter media 112 in the filter mediacartridge 110 is, therefore, increased as water is held in the conduitvolume 122, such that the water remains in contact with the filter media112 located within the filter media cartridge 110. Additionally,maintaining wetness in the filter media 112 may prevent the grown ofbacteria and biofilm, while maintaining the chemical reductionperformance of the filter media 112 over the life of the filter mediacartridge 110.

As discussed above, other embodiments of the water filter pitcher 90 mayinclude risers 120 that extend in a vertical distance beyond thecartridge floor 114. Such risers 120 having increased heights relativeto the cartridge floor 114 may maintain wetness of a larger portion ofthe filter media cartridge 110, and therefore maintain wetness of alarger portion of the filter media 112 as compared to risers 120 havingdecreased heights relative to the cartridge floor 114.

Though regular use of the water filter pitcher 90, the conduit volume122 will periodically be flushed by water that is introduced to the pourtray 100. The periodic introduction of water into the pour tray 100 andthrough the filter media cartridge 110 tends to flush water from theconduit volume 122 by displacing that water from the conduit volume 122.The periodic flushing of the conduit volume 122 maintains water in theconduit volume 122 and continues to provide increased residence time ofwater in contact with the filter media 112 in the filter media cartridge110, while enabling water to flow to the lower portion of the pitcherbody 91.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the water filter pitcher90 is depicted. Many of the features of this embodiment are similar tothe features described above in regard to FIGS. 3 and 4A. In thisembodiment, the riser 320 is integrated into the filter media cartridge310. The riser 320 extends upwardly from the cartridge floor 314, andaway from the housing floor 102. As depicted in FIG. 5, the riser 320extends a vertical distance above the cartridge floor 314, forming aconduit volume 322 in the region between the riser 320 and the cartridgesidewalls 316. The riser 320 may be supported relative to the cartridgesidewalls 316 by at least one rib 324 extending between the riser 320and the cartridge sidewalls 316. The conduit volume 322 may refer to thereceptacle created by the surfaces of the riser 320 and the cartridgefloor 314, and may also refer to an empty volume enclosed by thesesurfaces.

Water that is introduced to the pour tray 300 travels along the pourtray floor 109 to the water filter 305. The water enters the filtermedia cartridge 310 and the filter media 112, and the water is filteredby the filter media 112. The water exits the filter media 112 and flowsinto the conduit volume 322 formed in the filter media cartridge 310 bythe riser 320. The water is collected within the conduit volume 322formed in the filter media cartridge 310 by the riser 320. The waterpools within the conduit volume 322 until the volume of water exceedsthe volume of the conduit volume 322, at which point the level of thewater will exceed the height of the riser 320. Water that exceeds theheight of the riser 320 will flow over the riser 320, through the filtermedia cartridge outlet 315, and into the cavity 108. Water will thenflow from the cavity 108 through the filter housing outlet 106 and intothe lower portion of the pitcher body 91.

The riser 320 maintains water in the conduit volume 322, such that thewater is pooled inside the conduit volume 322 at a height relative tothe cartridge floor 314 that corresponds to the vertical height of theriser 320 relative to the cartridge floor 314. As depicted in FIG. 5,the vertical height of the riser 320 is above the bottom of thecartridge floor 314. When water is pooled in the conduit volume 322, thewater will come into contact with the filter media 112 inside the filtermedia cartridge 310, such that the water will maintain wetness of atleast a portion of the filter media 112. By pooling the water in theconduit volume 322, the residence time of the water in the filter mediacartridge 310 and, therefore in contact with the filter media 112, isincreased.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, the plurality of weep holes 204 in thediffusion tray 200 may allow water to flow through the weep holes 204into the lower portion of the pitcher body 91 in discrete streams.Properties of the weep holes 204, for example diameter and spacing, maybe adjusted at the time of manufacture to control the rate of flow ofthe discrete streams. In one embodiment, these discrete streams may becontrolled to simulate, visually and aurally, rainfall. The discreetstreams may be pleasing to a consumer. Further, use of these discretestreams may serve as a source identifier for the water filter pitcher90, such that a consumer who is interested in purchasing a water filterpitcher 90 is able to identify the brand of the water filter pitcher 90by a description of the discrete streams, or by a sensing, visuallyand/or aurally, the discrete streams as water flows through the weepholes 204 and into the lower portion of the pitcher body 91.

Referring now to FIG. 6, one embodiment of the pour tray 100 may includea lock-and-key mechanism 450 that is used to secure the water filter 405within the filter housing 101 of the pour tray 100. The lock-and-keymechanism 450 includes a first key 460 located along the lip 126 of thefilter media cartridge 410 and a first keyway 470 located in an areaproximate to the filter housing 101 of the pour tray 100. Additionally,the locking mechanism may include a second key 462 located in an areaproximate to the filter housing 101 of the pour tray 100 and a secondkeyway 472 located on the lip 126 of the filter media cartridge 410.While specific locations of the first key 460 and the second key 462, aswell as the corresponding first keyway 470 and second keyway 472 havebeen given, the locations and quantity of the features that form thelock-and-key mechanism 450 may vary between the filter media cartridge410 and the pour tray 100.

As depicted in FIG. 6, the first key 460 and the second key 462 mayinclude protrusions that extend away from one of the filter mediacartridge 410 or the filter housing 101, respectively. The first key 460and the second key 462 may have a variety of shapes including, but notlimited to, cylindrical or rectangular cross-sectional shapes. Othershapes and orientations of the first and second keys 460, 462, as wellas the corresponding first and second keyways 470, 472 are envisioned.

To install the filter media cartridge 410 into the filter housing 101,the first key 460 is aligned with the first keyway 470 and the secondkey 462 is aligned with the second keyway 472. With the respective firstand second keys 460, 462 and first and second keyways 470, 472 alignedwith one another, the filter media cartridge 410 may be seated into thefilter housing 101. Once the first and second keys 460, 462 have beenaligned with the first and second keyways 470, 472, the filter mediacartridge 410 may be secured within the pour tray 100, forming a watertight seal as to direct the flow of water from the pour tray 100 throughthe filter media cartridge 410.

The lock-and-key mechanism 450 may restrict the use of some waterfilters 405 with the water filter pitcher 90. In some embodiments, onlywater filters 405 and filter housings 101 of pour trays 100 that havefirst and second keys 460, 462 that are appropriately located for thefirst and second keyways 470, 472 may be secured to one another. Bypreventing water filters 405 that do not include appropriatelock-and-key mechanisms 450 from being secured within the filter housing101 of the pour tray 100, a user of the water filter pitcher 90 may beable to ensure that the water filter 405 is supplied from themanufacturer of the water filter pitcher 90.

Thus, the lock-and-key mechanism 450 may serve as a source identifier toa consumer, such that a consumer is able to identify that the waterfilter 405 is connected to the manufacturer of the water filter pitcher90 and/or authorized to provide components for the water filter pitcher90. This may be important for consumable products, for examplereplacement water filters 405, because the replacement water filters 405are often packaged and purchased separately by the consumer after thetime of purchase of the water filter pitcher 90. By allowing theconsumer to identify the source of the replacement water filter 405, theconsumer may be assured that the replacement water filter 405 willfilter water at the same level of performance as the original waterfilter 405 supplied with the water filter pitcher 90. Thus, the consumercan be assured that through using an appropriate replacement waterfilter 405, the water filter pitcher 90 will continue to filter water tothe taste, smell, and appearance that the consumer has become familiarwith.

Additionally, embodiments of the pour tray 100 and the filter mediacartridge 410 may include positive engagement indicators that indicateto a user accurate installation of the filter media cartridge 410 withinthe pour tray 100. The positive engagement indicators may be included inone or more of the filter media cartridge 410 or the pour tray 100. Thepositive engagement indicators may also be integrated into thelock-and-key mechanism 450. The positive engagement indicators providethe user with an indication, for example, an aural, a tactile, a visualand/or an olfactory signal, that the filter media cartridge 410 has beenproperly seated within the pour tray 100.

As depicted in FIG. 6, positive engagement indicators delivering avisual signal to the user may include a cartridge indicia 480 positionedalong the filter media cartridge 410 and a pour tray indicia 482positioned along the pour tray 100. As the filter media cartridge 410 isinserted into the filter housing 101 of the pour tray 100, aligning thelock-and-key mechanism 450 prevents the cartridge indicia 480 and thepour tray indicia 482 from being aligned. As the filter media cartridge410 is seated into the pour tray 100, for example by turning the filtermedia cartridge 410 clockwise relative to the pour tray 100approximately ⅛ of a revolution, the cartridge indicia 480 will alignwith the pour tray indicia 482. With the cartridge indicia 480 alignedwith the pour tray indicia 482, the positive engagement indicators mayassist with communicating to a user that the filter media cartridge 410is property seated within the pour tray 100 and ready for use.

It should now be understood that water filters for gravity filter waterfilter pitchers may include features that are configured for increasedresidence time of water in contact with the filter media in the waterfilters. By increasing the residence time of water introduced into thewater filter, the water filter, and therefore the filter media, may bekept above the lower portion of the water filter pitcher. This mayimprove the visual and/or aural appeal of a water filter pitcher.Additionally, the water filter pitcher and the filter media cartridgemay include features that limit the insertion of water filters to onlythose that are acceptable as determined by the manufacturer.

It is further noted that terms like “preferably,” “generally,”“commonly,” and “typically” are not utilized herein to limit the scopeof the claimed invention or to imply that certain features are critical,essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimedinvention. Rather, these terms are merely intended to highlightalternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in aparticular embodiment of the present invention.

For the purposes of describing and defining the present invention it isadditionally noted that the term “substantially” is utilized herein torepresent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed toany quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or otherrepresentation. The term “substantially” is also utilized herein torepresent the degree by which a quantitative representation may varyfrom a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basicfunction of the subject matter at issue.

Having described the invention in detail and by reference to specificembodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications andvariations are possible without departing from the scope of theinvention defined in the appended claims. More specifically, althoughsome aspects of the present invention are identified herein as preferredor particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the presentinvention is not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects of theinvention.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaningor definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to the term in this written documentshall govern.

What is claimed is:
 1. A water filter configured to be inserted into afilter housing disposed in a pour tray of a water filter pitcher,wherein the filter housing comprises a housing floor; housing sidewallsextending upwardly from the housing floor; at least one filter housingoutlet disposed in the housing floor, the housing sidewalls, or both;and a riser extending upwardly from the housing floor, wherein the waterfilter comprises: a filter media cartridge configured to be accommodatedinside the filter housing and comprising filter media, wherein thefilter media cartridge comprises a cartridge floor spaced above thehousing floor, cartridge sidewalls extending upwardly, away from thecartridge floor, and at least one filter media cartridge outlet disposedalong one or more of the cartridge floor or the cartridge sidewalls,wherein, when the filter media cartridge is accommodated inside thefilter housing, the riser is spaced between the housing sidewalls andthe cartridge sidewalls and extends vertically above the cartridgefloor, thereby forming a conduit volume.
 2. The water filter of claim 1,further comprising a water outlet flowpath defined from the pour tray tothe filter housing outlet, such that the water introduced to the pourtray is operable to enter into the filter media cartridge, exit thefilter media cartridge into the conduit volume, and then pass over theriser before exiting the filter housing via the at least one filterhousing outlet.
 3. The water filter of claim 1, wherein the riser andthe housing floor form the conduit volume.
 4. The water filter of claim1, wherein the riser and the cartridge floor form the conduit volume. 5.The water filter of claim 4, wherein the riser is configured to beattached to the cartridge sidewalls by at least one rib.
 6. The waterfilter of claim 1, further comprising a cavity disposed between thehousing sidewalls and the cartridge sidewalls, wherein the cavity isconfigured to be in fluid communication with the conduit volume.
 7. Thewater filter of claim 1, wherein the filter media comprises a permeablemembrane located adjacent to the cartridge floor and loose fillfiltration media adjacent to the permeable membrane and the cartridgesidewalls.
 8. The water filter of claim 1, wherein the filter mediacartridge is coupled to the filter housing to form a water-tight sealbetween the pour tray and the filter media cartridge, and is configuredsuch that water introduced to the pour tray exits through the at leastone filter media cartridge outlet.
 9. The water filter of claim 1,wherein the filter media cartridge further comprises a retention lipthat extends in a radial direction outward from the cartridge sidewalls.10. The water filter of claim 9, wherein the retention lip is operableto interlock with the pour tray.
 11. The water filter of claim 9,wherein the retention lip of the filter media cartridge comprises atleast one key, and is configured such that when the filter mediacartridge is accommodated in the filter housing, the at least one key isoperable to engage at least one keyway of the pour tray.
 12. The waterfilter of claim 11, wherein the filter media cartridge is rotatablewithin the filter housing and is configured such that when the at leastone key engages the at least one keyway and the filter media cartridgeforms a water-tight seal with the pour tray, that water introduced tothe pour tray exits through the at least one filter media cartridgeoutlet.
 13. A water filter pitcher comprising: a pitcher body comprisinga pitcher floor and pitcher sidewalls extending from the pitcher floor;and a pour tray coupled to the pitcher body, the pour tray comprising: apour tray floor; pour tray sidewalls extending upwards from the pourtray floor; a filter housing extending below the pour tray floor, thefilter housing comprising a housing floor, housing sidewalls extendingbetween the housing floor and the pour tray floor, and at least onefilter housing outlet disposed along one of more of the housing floor orthe housing sidewalls; a filter media cartridge disposed inside thefilter housing and comprising filter media, wherein the filter mediacartridge further comprises a cartridge floor spaced above the housingfloor, cartridge sidewalls extending upwardly, away from the cartridgefloor, and at least one filter media cartridge outlet disposed along oneor more of the cartridge floor or the cartridge sidewalls; and a riserextending upwardly from the housing floor and spaced between the housingsidewalls and the cartridge sidewalls, wherein the riser extendsvertically above the cartridge floor, the riser forming a conduitvolume.
 14. The water filter pitcher of claim 13, further comprising awater outlet flowpath defined from the filter media cartridge outlet tothe filter housing outlet, and configured such that the water exitingthe filter media cartridge must exit via the at least one filter mediacartridge outlet into the conduit volume and then pass over the riserbefore exiting the filter housing via the at least one filter housingoutlet.
 15. The water filter pitcher of claim 13, wherein a verticaldistance from the pitcher floor to the at least one filter housingoutlet is less than about 50% of a vertical distance that the pitchersidewalls extend from the pitcher floor.
 16. The water filter pitcher ofclaim 13, wherein the riser extends from the housing floor, the riserand the housing floor forming the conduit volume.
 17. The water filterpitcher of claim 13, wherein the riser extends from the cartridge floor,the riser and the cartridge sidewalls forming the conduit volume. 18.The water filter pitcher of claim 13, further comprising furthercomprising a diffusion tray located below the at least one filterhousing outlet, the diffusion tray comprising a diffusion tray floorcomprising a plurality of depressions that form an undulating surface,and a plurality of weep holes passing through the diffusion tray floorat locations corresponding to at least one of the depressions, whereinthe diffusion tray is configured such that water exiting from the atleast one filter housing outlet is directed to the depressions andpasses through the plurality of weep holes.
 19. A method of maintainingwetness of a filter media cartridge, comprising: providing a waterfilter pitcher comprising: a filter housing comprising a housing floor,housing sidewalls vertically extending from the housing floor, and atleast one filter housing outlet disposed in the housing floor adjacentto one or more of the housing sidewalls; a filter media cartridgedisposed inside the filter housing and comprising filter media, whereinthe filter media cartridge comprises a cartridge floor spaced above thehousing floor, cartridge sidewalls extending upwardly, away from thecartridge floor, and at least one filter media cartridge outlet disposedin one or more of the cartridge floor or the cartridge sidewalls; ariser extending upwardly, away from the housing floor and spaced betweenthe housing sidewalls and the cartridge sidewalls, wherein the riserextends a vertical distance above the cartridge floor, the interior ofthe riser forming a conduit volume; and a water outlet flowpath definedfrom the filter media cartridge outlet to the filter housing outlet,such that the water exiting the filter media cartridge must exit via theat least one filter media cartridge outlet into the conduit and thenpass over the riser before exiting the filter housing via the at leastone filter housing outlet; introducing water to the water filterpitcher; passing water into the filter media cartridge; filtering waterwith the filter media; allowing water to exit the filter media cartridgethrough at least one filter media cartridge outlet; pooling water in theconduit volume to wet at least a portion of the filter media cartridge;and displacing water over the riser and through the at least one filterhousing outlet.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein depth of the poolcorresponds with a vertical distance the riser extends above thecartridge floor.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the riser extendsfrom the housing floor, and the riser and the housing floor togetherform the conduit volume.
 22. The method of claim 19, wherein the riserextends from the cartridge floor, the riser and the cartridge floorforming the conduit volume.